By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
OOLP Maritime World NewsOOLP Maritime World News
  • Home
  • Maritime News
    • Top stories
    • Global Maritime
    • International Shipping
    • Cruise
    • Ports
    • Security & Piracy
  • Live Marine Traffic
  • Events
  • Company
    • About OOLP
    • Contact us
  • Blog
Reading: Ports America highlights the importance of marine terminal operators, expresses concerns regarding Ocean Shipping Reform Act rulemaking
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
OOLP Maritime World NewsOOLP Maritime World News
Aa
Search
  • Home
  • Maritime News
    • Top stories
    • Global Maritime
    • International Shipping
    • Cruise
    • Ports
    • Security & Piracy
  • Live Marine Traffic
  • Events
  • Company
    • About OOLP
    • Contact us
  • Blog
Follow US
© 2022 - All Rights Reserved. OOLP News.
OOLP Maritime World News > Port news > Ports America highlights the importance of marine terminal operators, expresses concerns regarding Ocean Shipping Reform Act rulemaking
Port news

Ports America highlights the importance of marine terminal operators, expresses concerns regarding Ocean Shipping Reform Act rulemaking

Last updated: 2023/03/30 at 9:02 AM
174 Views
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE


The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (CGMT) convened a hearing that included testimony from a broad set of U.S. maritime leaders, including Ports America, a member of the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE). The hearing provides a platform for U.S. maritime leaders to share their insights and perspectives, which can inform policymaking and decision-making related to the industry.

In his testimony, Ports America President and CEO Matthew Leech emphasized the importance of marine terminal operators (MTOs). He also provided a status update on the maritime supply chain and expressed concerns about Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) rulemaking and the costs of transitioning to electric cargo handling equipment.

“Matt Leech’s testimony reflects critical issues that impact the flow of cargo and threaten a smooth and efficient supply chain,” said Robert W. Murray, president of NAWE. “MTOs employ hundreds of thousands of waterfront workers across the country and serve as the critical foundation for facilitating cargo transportation between sea and land. It’s vital that Congressional leaders and executive branch officials ensure the constant flow of global commerce through the legislative and regulatory process that supports our nation’s economy.

- Promotional Ads -

In his written and verbal testimony, Leech stressed that unprecedented consumer demand following the COVID-19 pandemic led directly to “a scarcity of capacity at marine terminal property.” MTOs supported the demand by utilizing available tools including the imposition of terminal demurrage and dwell fees to ensure the expedient retrieval of containers from terminal property and to avoid a repeat of the congestion issues of recent years.

“Marine terminals reside on prime property and need to cater to 24/7 vessel operations, which includes maintaining terminal fluidity as well as ensuring safe operations,” said Uffe Ostergaard, CEO of Carrix and SSA Marine. “Containers should move off the terminal before the weekend or holidays and not linger. NAWE has offered two examples in their testimony that are worthy of consideration by the Federal Maritime Commission as they contemplate changes to the supply chain.”

Another tool Leech referenced is anti-trust immunity, which enables MTOs to coordinate responses to supply chain congestion. Without this immunity, competitor MTOs operating on the same public port property would be “unable to coordinate efforts and share data, which would have made it virtually impossible to address the supply chain capacity issues” MTOs have faced.

Leech testified that the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC’s) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding demurrage and detention billing does not reflect the clear Congressional intent behind OSRA. He urged the Subcommittee to consider how proposed contracts are inconsistent with supply chain relationships and encouraged the FMC to “avoid extending its [equipment detention] scope to terminal demurrage.”

Roger Guenther, executive director of Port Houston said, “It’s imperative that Congress and regulatory agencies prioritize programs that enable MTOs to use all available tools to avoid supply chain congestion and ensure the expedient retrieval of containers. At Port Houston, we remain committed to ensuring representatives of MTOs are involved in the policymaking process through established working groups.”

Lastly, Leech expressed hope that Congress will consider amending the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Clean Ports Program to better reflect the realities MTOs face with obtaining zero and near-zero-emission cargo handling equipment. Leech asserted that “Ports America and NAWE will continue to engage with Congress to find flexibility in the IRA to account for the realistic costs, timelines and U.S. equipment availability to achieve the Act’s policy goals.”

Griff Lynch, executive director of Georgia Ports Authority said, “With the unprecedented influx of cargo seen at ports across the nation, marine terminal port operators have relied on every tool available, including demurrage and dwell fees, to ensure the efficient fluidity of cargo. The support of policy makers and regulatory agencies remains a critical component in ensuring we can continue to navigate the complex challenges facing our industry to avoid further congestion in the supply chain.”
Source: National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE)



You Might Also Like

Descartes: November U.S. Container Import Volumes Down 9% from October; Panama Drought Impacting East and Gulf Coast Ports

Port of Los Angeles releases initial study, notice of preparation for proposed terminal island maritime support facility

Iraq to commission 2 Faw Port berths in 2025

Qatar sees 1.3% jump in ship calls in October

NextGEN Connect-GreenVoyage2050 Project points to critical role of regional energy hubs in supporting maritime decarbonisation

admin March 30, 2023
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Previous Article Russia in talks with India to develop Northern Sea shipping route -Interfax
Next Article MCA’s Online Licensing Exams to Continue Following Successful Pilot
- Promotional Ads -

Latest News

MTM Logix Launches the world`s first ChatGPT-based AI tool in supply chain sector
Shipping news December 10, 2023
MOL: Announcement of a joint statement with Maersk on decarbonization in the Shipping Industry
Shipping news December 9, 2023
MacGregor has received a significant order to supply comprehensive RoRo equipment to Höegh Autoliners’ four PCTC vessels
Shipping news December 9, 2023
Chinese Use Water Cannons and LRAD to Stop Philippine Supply Mission
Global Maritime News December 9, 2023

OOLP maritime news is a portal that gets latest updates and happenings from the maritime & cruise industry across the globe.

Top maritime stories

Global maritime news

International shipping news

Cruise news

Maritime ports

Security and piracy

About OOLP news

Contact us

Live maritime traffic

Events

Blog

Follow US
© 2023 - All Rights Reserved. OOLP News.
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?